Lexi Lobdell

Lacrosse reflects on seniors during final home game of season

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Mount Holyoke Lacrosse celebrated their Senior Day by hosting Coast Guard Academy at their last home game of the year on Saturday, April 21. Though the Lyons suffered a 13-5 loss, the four seniors on the team, Leila Kouakou ’18, Kaitlin Braz ’18, Clarissa Leight ’18 and Julia Lankin ’18, were honored for their achievements. Kouakou reached 100 career points last week, only the 15th player in school history to do so, and Braz is currently ranked third in the conference for caused turnovers (35).

Decorated rider Juliana Ronn ’18 will join team at nationals

Decorated rider Juliana Ronn ’18 will join team at nationals

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Western riding team captain Juliana Ronn ’18 is headed to nationals in Harrisburg, PA on May 3 to compete individually in Open Horsemanship and Reining, the highest level of the Western Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). Ronn has been a member of the western team for three years and its captain for two. 

Daisy Chain ranks third in division III ultimate

Daisy Chain ranks third in division III ultimate

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

The Mount Holyoke ultimate team — known as the Daisy Chain — is currently ranked third in the nation for the USA Ultimate (USAU) Women’s Division III Ultimate Frisbee after a big win at the Jersey Devil Tournament on March 24 and 25. 

Athletics celebrates National Division Three Week

B LEXI LOBDELL ’20

The Mount Holyoke athletics department, in conjunction with schools across the country, sponsored the National Division III (D3) Week from April 3-April 7, to recognize the hard work and experiences of student athletes. The week kicked off on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. in Kendall in the field house.

Mount Holyoke empowers athletes on and off the field

Mount Holyoke empowers athletes on and off the field

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Recent sexual assault cases involving National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) teams and coaches have brought women’s rights to the forefront of collegiate sports discussion.

Mount Holyoke’s mission includes improving education and leadership, as well as creating opportunities for women and advancing women’s rights. Adhering to this mission, the athletics department has several policies in place to cultivate a safe environment for student-athletes.

Basketball Coach of 14 years leaves mid-season

Basketball Coach of 14 years leaves mid-season

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

After 14 seasons, head coach Michelle Scecina, left her position with the Lyons’ basketball team. On Jan. 4, Scecina was named the assistant athletic director for Student-Athlete Enhancement at Springfield College. Springfield is Mount Holyoke basketball’s number one competitor, currently leading the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference. It is also Scecina’s alma mater. 

Mount Holyoke Basketball Falls to MIT in conference play, 63 - 24

Mount Holyoke Basketball Falls to MIT in conference play, 63 - 24

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Lyons hosted the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) basket ball team, the Engineers. Despite their best efforts, Mount Holyoke’s young roster couldn’t keep up with MIT’s experienced players, and fell 63 to 24. 

Andy Whitcomb changed the game

Andy Whitcomb changed the game

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

When Andy Whitcomb took over the Mount Holyoke field hockey team in 1998, the team was last-place in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), having won only five games in five years. Fast forward to 2017, Whitcomb’s team has an impressive resume featuring multiple NEWMAC championships and NCAA tournament appearances. 

Soccer fell to Babson Beavers

Soccer fell to Babson Beavers

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

The Mount Holyoke Lyons hosted the Babson College Beavers in their final game of the season. On Saturday, Oct. 28, the Lyons took on a tough competitor. The Lyons took an early lead in the first half of the game, and at the 13-minute mark, forward Minerva Veeser-Bobea ’20 drove past Babson defenders and fired the ball into the back of the net off a pass from Sara Sanaú Ruiz ’18. However, the Beavers rallied in the final six minutes of the game. Maggie McCabe executed a perfect corner kick pass to Julia Lindsay, who headed the ball into the Lyons’ goal. Babson seized the lead off another pass from McCabe to junior Jessica DeLuca for a scrappy goal, scoring two goals to take the 2-1 win.

Students respond to Adidas partnership

Students respond to Adidas partnership

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Recent scandals involving the NCAA and Adidas brand have raised questions about Mount Holyoke’s partnership with Champion’s Choice, the number one exclusive Adidas team dealer in the U.S. According to the New York Times, Adidas has bribed high school students and families with sums as much as $100,000 to commit to the specific Adidas-sponsored schools. Both Leila Kouakou ’18 and Indra Rapinchuk-Souccar ’20 have concerns with the college’s partnership. While both athletes like Adidas as a brand, they agree that Mount Holyoke’s partnership with Champion’s Choice raises ethical concerns. Kouakou said, “I believe that [the federal investigation with Adidas and the NCAA] goes strongly against the NEWMAC [New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference] and Mount Holyoke’s treasured policies.”

MHC partner Adidas under investigation

MHC partner Adidas under investigation

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

Over the past few weeks, scandals involving the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Adidas brand have erupted. Federal investigators are investigating many division one NCAA schools for alleged briberies. Mount Holyoke athletics is partnered with Champion’s Choice and is supplied Adidas apparel. 

Soccer defeats Southern Vermont College over weekend

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

   Mount Holyoke Soccer hosted Southern Vermont College, rallying during the second half of the game to take the 2-1 win on Saturday, Sept. 9.  Southern Vermont took a lead when senior midfielder Paige Vitale ’18 shot the ball past MHC goalie Amanda Manster ’19 with 8:37 remaining in the half.

Track & Field finishes third at Spring Fling meet

BY LEXI LOBDELL ’20

On Saturday, April 15, Mount Holyoke Track & Field hosted nine colleges at the Spring Fling Invitational. The Lyons’ efforts earned 99 points, featuring four event victories. “I’m proud of my team’s performance —  a lot of us PRed and raced well,” said Mia Barnes ’18, who sealed Mount Holyoke’s first victory of the day in the 10,000-meter run with a time of 41:30.89. Hannah Gershone ’18 followed, clocking in at 44:08.72 for fourth place.